Thomas Scheffey

June 28, 1999 | Law.com

Bristol Technologies Inc., the small software company suing mighty Microsoft Inc., has thrived on a strategy of tackling its biggest, most intimidating targets first. That fearlessness went into Bristol's decision to sue Microsoft on antitrust, fair trade and quasi-contractual grounds. The trial began June 3 and is expected to last about six weeks. So far, the case shows that standing up to Goliath doesn't make the challenger a hero, or promise upset results.

By Thomas Scheffey

10 minute read

April 01, 2002 | Connecticut Law Tribune

This is a terrific witness for the defense, said a smiling Hugh F. Keefe.

By THOMAS SCHEFFEY Law Tribune Staff Writer

5 minute read

November 02, 2000 | Law.com

A consumer who bought a computer with Microsoft Windows does not have standing to sue Microsoft for antitrust violations because he didn't buy the software directly from the company, a Connecticut judge ruled. Anthony Vacco's suit to recover the "monopoly pricing" cost of the Windows 98 software on his computer is similar to scores of antitrust and unfair trade cases around the nation.

By Thomas Scheffey

4 minute read

July 14, 1999 | Law.com

After a recent Connecticut Supreme Court decision, property owners are quietly rejoicing. The decision recognizes a possible violation of a federal civil rights statute. Surprisingly, the plaintiffs' victory is based on the Equal Protection clause, seldom a winner in such land use cases. The court found that the landowners made a sufficient case to sue the zoning board for selectively and maliciously denying them permission to build.

By Thomas Scheffey

9 minute read

February 28, 2002 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Powerful, heavy and given to violent outbursts, Steven M. has the body of an adult and the mind of a five-year-old. Two years ago, the Department of Children and Families was challenged by the problem he posed, and convened a committee of 26 professionals to come up with a smart solution.

By THOMAS SCHEFFEY

4 minute read

November 13, 2001 | Law.com

What right do disabled employees have to re-employment, once they get better? That's what Aetna employee Debora Lisee is asking in litigation before the Connecticut Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities and in a separate breach of contract case. The outcome may hinge on Finley v. Aetna, in which the Connecticut Supreme Court recognized that an employee manual could be given the weight of a contract.

By Thomas Scheffey

4 minute read

July 08, 1999 | Law.com

The Connecticut Bar Association's committee on professional ethics recently rejected a controversial idea -- whether it's legit to agree to a contingent fee contract that reverts to a standard hourly-fee deal if the client rejects a settlement offer that the plaintiff's lawyer recommends, and the defendant wins at trial. The committee decided that such an agreement, under ordinary circumstances, would impair the client's right to make that decision.

By Thomas Scheffey

9 minute read

May 04, 2001 | Law.com

Two federal judges in Connecticut are asking the state supreme court to define the bounds of unfair trade practices and products liability law. Substantial money damages may hang on the question of whether the state's Products Liability Act, which replaces traditional tort and contract remedies in defective product suits, also excludes claims under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.

By Thomas Scheffey

4 minute read

January 18, 2002 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Quinnipiac University School of Law announced the selection of its new Dean, Brad Saxton, currently Associate Dean of the University of Wyoming School of Law.

By THOMAS SCHEFFEY

3 minute read

July 27, 1999 | Law.com

In a Conn. auto accident case, a settlement with the employee defendant unexpectedly allowed her employer to escape all financial liability. Much to the plaintiff's surprise, his release of the employee was held, as a matter of law, to release the employer - even though the plaintiff made no reference to the employer, took no money from it and had no intent to release it. Plaintiff's attorney Stephen R. Bellis, says the state Supreme Court justices "took a step back, relying on 19th century common law..."

By Thomas Scheffey

9 minute read